Opening the thick accounting book, Rhodes took a rough look at the expenses and income above. Since the ore output was relatively stable, and the furs were obtained by him and the Norscans from hunting, these two main incomes were not very large.
There was no big problem in coming in and out, and Rhodes still believed in the loyalty of his butler.
From a book perspective, all incomes are okay, but taxes are terrible. Blackhammer Castle is not a big city, it is just a small border castle. The people gathered here are poor. In terms of head taxes, they cannot collect much at all. Trade
Taxes are even more pitiful. Since most trade is controlled by the lords themselves, Rhodes cannot collect his own taxes. Therefore, taxation is still the weakest area at present.
But in the past two months, the number of civilians coming to Blackhammer Castle to make a living has increased, which is something to be thankful for.
"We need more civilians to come and settle."
Sitting on his simple chair, Rhodes frowned and thought.
Population is still the key. Black Hammer Castle is not without resources, but lacks manpower and labor force. This is very similar to Russia on the earth before time travel. There are a lot of resources in the Far East, but due to the cold weather, no one has settled. Even after passing through
During the Tide of Evil battle, the Norscans joined, and Rhodes felt that the number of civilians in his territory was still too small. Not to mention the nobles, looking at it now, not a single noble was willing to settle here.
"Yes, more is needed... Sir, my idea is to slow down the road construction work for now. We need more practical things that benefit people's livelihood. For example, raising wages..."
"No, this won't work. People all have one characteristic. They like you to give them a salary increase. However, once the increase goes up and you get used to it, they think it's natural. One day you want to restore the original salary.
They will be dissatisfied, even rebel, and oppose you. Civilians are like this. Needless to say, if you and I are also ordinary civilians, we also have this mentality. It is like living in a simple house and moving into a luxurious house.
, you will get used to it, but on the other hand, if you get used to living in a luxurious big house, and then move back to a dilapidated and dirty small house, you will not be used to it. This is probably the reason, so a salary increase can certainly increase the number of immigrants in a short period of time.
, but in the long run, we cannot afford it. Moreover, Heidelberg and the Iron Ring City next door will also be dissatisfied, because once the salary increases, the first people to immigrate will not be people from the south of Kislev, but our two old neighbors."
Rhodes threw the document on the table and explained it seriously. The old housekeeper nodded and agreed with this statement.
He does think simpler, and his lord will think of the related interests and subsequent issues later.
"I have the most direct idea."
Rhodes continued, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Put all the gold coins harvested during this period into the construction of the city wall." Rhodes said, "As long as the city wall is built, the people will feel safe and Blackhammer Castle will have enough employment opportunities. The salary we provide is not
It’s not that much.”
"But the construction of the city wall takes time, sir. If the city wall is just made of simple soil and wooden frames, people will not feel at ease. After all, our opponents are beasts and werewolves... These beasts may charge at once, earth and wood
The supporting walls will fall apart."
The old housekeeper answered sincerely.
"Leave this matter to me. Just go and prepare three things for me."
Rod returns.
"What three things?"
"Lime, clay, coal water."
"May I ask? What do you need these things for, my lord?"
The old butler still didn't understand. He frowned and wanted to ask clearly. But Rhodes didn't want to explain too clearly. It wasn't that he didn't want the old butler to understand, but that this kind of thing could only be understood after seeing it live...
"Build a wall."
Rhodes replied, a smile hanging on the corner of his mouth. What he wanted to do was actually cement. This heaven-defying building material has not yet been developed by any race in the entire Old Continent. Before it is put into practice, Rhodes followed
Muros said it was all in vain.
In fact, the manufacturing method of original cement is not difficult. Strictly speaking, this is not an invention, but a discovery. Clay and lime are used as raw materials, which are crushed, batched, and ground into raw materials, which are then calcined and matured in a kiln.
material, and then grind the clinker with an appropriate amount of gypsum.
If water, fine sand, and gravel are added and mixed, it can be made into original concrete. If steel bars are placed in it, reinforced concrete will be formed. With that, the height of various buildings can be increased by several levels. Of course.
, Rhodes didn't think that far ahead, because making reinforced concrete requires a lot of steel. With the current productivity level of Blackhammer Castle, even if it develops for ten years, it may not be possible to build a reinforced concrete city.
"……this……"
Steward Muros obviously didn't understand what his lord meant, and he looked confused. But Rhodes just told him to do it.
"Don't worry about it for now, just prepare as I ask."
Rhodes said.
…
After arranging the work, Muros began to make preparations. The clay was almost taken from local materials. Black Hammer Castle is not a castle built on rocks or deserts. Clay resources are still easy to obtain. And lime is not difficult to leave the castle.
Not far away is the deep mine. That mine digs out huge piles of waste every day. Many of these wastes are lime. But in the past, people discarded them as waste, but now, these are dug out of the mine.
The garbage has become valuable building materials.
As for coal and water, it is not difficult. Kislev is short of all resources, but there are many coal mines, so there is no shortage of coal resources. And the price is extremely low. Coal and water are another form of coal, but in the Warhammer world
, this thing can generate high temperatures. The most troublesome step in calcining cement is high temperature, and coal water can solve this problem. This thing is even one of the fuels for rocket launchers in the empire.
Although it is not difficult to obtain raw materials, the workload is not small. After all, the amount required is huge. It is used to build city walls, not to build one or two houses. This will consume manpower and material resources, and it also requires
money……
But for the construction of the city wall, this work has to be done. For the future population expansion, everything is worth it. The worst thing is to spend more money and let the workers work harder. For this reason, Rhodes will build the road.
The workers assigned some of them to the transportation team and put them under the command of Muros.